6 volt starter
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 1,759
From: Western NY
56 was never 6V positive ground, so I'm curious why a 6V starter is going in and not a 12V stock functionally equivalent one, especially since they are not that expensive:
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...1-w-drive.html
https:/discountstarterandalternator.com/c/agricultural/starter-for-ford-tractor-501-601-640-641-651-681-701-740-841-850-851-881-series/
New 00 battery and starter cables are never something to discourage irrespective of voltage or polarity.
https://www.dbelectrical.com/product...1-w-drive.html
https:/discountstarterandalternator.com/c/agricultural/starter-for-ford-tractor-501-601-640-641-651-681-701-740-841-850-851-881-series/
New 00 battery and starter cables are never something to discourage irrespective of voltage or polarity.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 28
I’ve been told that a 6 volt starter will spin a y block over faster and will cause no damage to the starter as long as you don’t crank on it for any length of time. Thanks for your reply.
some of the tractor forums members are using 6 V starters on a 12 V system with no issues.
some of the tractor forums members are using 6 V starters on a 12 V system with no issues.
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 1,759
From: Western NY
If you are chasing an issue, a 6V starter isn't the silver bullet solution. Properly diagnose and tease out the real root issue such as bad cables, bad grounds, incorrect timing, fuel prime/delivery issues, starter armature/brushes/coils etc...
Those who keep their 6V starters do so because it is already there reducing 12V conversion costs/work, or because of replacement availability/costs. Generally, 6V starters do alright on 12V as you uncovered. However, there are those who suggest that it may be harder on the starter drive and ring gear.
Those who keep their 6V starters do so because it is already there reducing 12V conversion costs/work, or because of replacement availability/costs. Generally, 6V starters do alright on 12V as you uncovered. However, there are those who suggest that it may be harder on the starter drive and ring gear.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 28
Not chasing an issue, my 12V starter has been starting my Y block since 1982 with no issues. I figured at some point it will need to be replaced and I’ve had a new 6V starter for years and thought about installing it if and when my current starter bites the dust.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 259
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Big win, does your 6V starter have larger electric cables than a normal 12V system? Im thinking about using the existing cables that are in my truck now. Probably won’t change until my current starter quits on me and as of right now it’s working fine after 40+ years.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,348
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From: AKRON ohio
Big win, does your 6V starter have larger electric cables than a normal 12V system? Im thinking about using the existing cables that are in my truck now. Probably won’t change until my current starter quits on me and as of right now it’s working fine after 40+ years.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Mason City, Iowa
If you do ever use your 6 volt starter in a 12 volt system I would keep the same cables assuming their in good shape. You dont normally want a voltage drop, but in the case of using a 6 volt starter, 12 volts will more than be enough to overcome any voltage drop in the battery cables and the dropped voltage could be easier on the starter and bendix too making it last longer. The down side of course is the cables and the starter could get hot from excessive cranking if your having problems gettiing your truck to run.
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Western NY
It isn't just the voltage, but the triad of relationships of Ohms Law. Ford lists the 6V starter as requiring 550 Amps. At 12V, the current is halfed, reducing the cable size needed. However, if you do have a degraded cable creating voltage drop, then the amperage increases and will exceed the abilities of a perfect cable (and thus even more so on this degraded cable). Hence my generalized advice given early on: New 00 battery and starter cables are never something to discourage irrespective of voltage or polarity.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,268
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From: Near Salt Lake City
If your starter draws too many amps, doubling the voltage helps
I had a 72 Volkswagen bug that I was using 2 twelve volt batteries to make 24 volts
That made it crank at 550 or above and started right up
Also, no problem with burning out light bulbs
Ran the car for quite a while like that until I finally replaced the starter
I had a 72 Volkswagen bug that I was using 2 twelve volt batteries to make 24 volts
That made it crank at 550 or above and started right up
Also, no problem with burning out light bulbs
Ran the car for quite a while like that until I finally replaced the starter
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,348
Likes: 1,714
From: AKRON ohio
The OP truck starts fine currently with the 12 volt starter. Definitely no need to waste money on new bigger cables
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